When we moved into our present home just shy of three years ago, one of our first wildlife greetings was from a pair of resident tawny owls kerwicking and hoohooing us into our new home. They seemed always to be together and have been local throughout our time here. Sadly, since November, we have only had the male's hoohoo punctuating our evenings and pre-dawn mornings. I presume that they were a breeding pair and, as they were together nearly three years ago, they must have been about four by now. I gather that this is the typical lifespan of a tawny owl and presume that she has died at some point in the autumn leaving him alone.
I wonder if that is it for him as well now, or will he find another mate? God knows he's trying hard enough...
Sadly it seems 4 years is a typical lifespan.
However, longer lifespans have been observed, and in to the early/mid twenties is possible, but rare.